Can It Be Spring Now?

It really did feel like Spring in the last couple of days ; it was so sunny and warm behind the glass of my conservatory that I had to open the door to cool down yesterday! It's been such a relief to get away from all that bitterly cold dreariness - and a joy to actually hear my little Goldfinch visitors singing their tinkling songs just a few feet away from me. I wonder what it is about the sunshine which is so motivational? Although I have plenty of ongoing projects to keep me busy for the next 2 months (at least !) my brain keeps summoning up inspiration for all sorts of bears and themes, so that I have to keep jotting things down in my notebook in case they disappear never to return! I have a whole series of bears planned .... just need the time to create them! Hopefully I can introduce a few of them at June's Teddy Bear Artist Event in Stratford.

In fact, Spring motivation has even led me to hop on to Ashley's brand new exercise bike which was bought to rehabilitate his newly improved knee ligament. I am fairly rubbish on it (no stamina) and it is a fairly boring piece of equipment (just black and white and uncomfortable) but.... there's no escaping the fact that bear making is sedentary and seems to be encouraging in me a little *polite cough* "softness" , or "cuddlieness" as my father would say.....

Anyway , back to the Spring ; here's an enchanting poem to herald its approach - hopefully a lot sooner than April.

A Child of Spring by Ellen Robena Field

I know a little maiden, She is very fair and sweet, As she trips among the grasses That kiss her dainty feet; Her arms are full of flowers, The snow-drops, pure and white, Timid blue-eyed violets, And daffodillies bright. She loves dear Mother Nature, And wanders by her side; She beckons to the birdlings That flock from far and wide. She wakes the baby brooklets, Soft breezes hear her call; She tells the little children The sweetest tales of all. Her brow is sometimes clouded, And she sighs with gentle grace, Till the sunbeams, daring lovers, Kiss the teardrops from her face. Well we know this dainty maiden, For April is her name; And we welcome her with gladness, As the springtime comes again.

T.T.F.N , Ruth XX

(Above is "Tommy" ; 1.6" tall , who likes to be planted in his own little flower pot!)